WTSB News has learned that a Captain on the Apex Police Department will formally be named the new Town of Clayton Police Chief.
Following a nationwide search, Apex Police Captain C. Blair Myhand will be named in the next several days as the new Chief of Police, replacing retiring Chief Wayne Bridges who has been on the department nearly 20 years.
A background investigation must be completed before Myhand is formally announced. That is considered only a formality.
Clayton is one of the fastest growing towns in North Carolina. The 2010 Census showed Clayton with 16,193 people. A 2015 estimate showed the town had 19,304 residents. The 10 year average growth rate for the town is about 5 percent.
In the past year the town has grown by more than 50 acres in size through voluntary annexations.
In 2009, Clayton Police became the first law enforcement agency in the county and one of only 5 departments of its size in the state to earn the highly-prized recognition for professional excellence from CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. In a 2015 report, the police department saw a 25 percent decrease in violent crimes. Robberies were up but there were no homicides or rapes reported. Property crime was down by almost 4 percent.
The Police Chief will be responsible for leading the department that protects a community of nearly 20,000 residents – residents who expect high levels of service and engagement. The Clayton Police Department has a $4.57 million budget, 43 sworn personnel, and three support personnel. The ideal candidate will be a strong leader who will work well with the Town manager, community members and surrounding law enforcement agencies – and who will be experienced and confident in managing all areas of a full-service police department. The department moved into an award-winning, newly-designed facility in 2011.
